(Photo: USA Hockey)
USA Hockey and Hockey Canada kick off a pair of women's hockey series this Wednesday, August 14. The Under-18 and Under-22 select teams will each compete in a three-game series against Canada over the next few days in Lake Placid, NY.
Before the action begins, here's all you need to know about the upcoming series.
Under-18 Series: The Rosters
The United States' U-18 team features a handful of players from both the Chicago Mission and Shattuck St. Mary's teams, as well as several high school players. Players hail from Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (8), Idaho, Maryland, New Hampshire, Illinois (3), Connecticut, Michigan (2), Missouri, and New York (2).
Maura Crowell will serve as the team's head coach. She is the head coach of the women's hockey team at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Brianna Decker, Meredith Roth and Josh Sciba will serve as assistant coaches.
Here is the full roster:
Defense: Mia Biotti, Brenna Fuhrman, Rory Guilday, Caroline Harvey, Lyndie Lobdell, Maggie Nicholson, Maddy Samoskevich, Haley Winn
Forwards: Ellie Bayard, Danielle Burgen, Kathryn Davis, Lacey Eden, Peyton Hemp, Ella Huber, Gabby Krause, Abbey Murphy, Clara Van Wieren, Makenna Webster, Audrey Wethington, Kiara Zanon
Goaltenders: Amanda Thiele, Skylar Vetter
Canada's U-18 team features representatives from leagues that include the PWHL, CSSHL and BCFMAAA. There are also a handful of high school players on the team, including several who play in the United States (Taze Thompson, Ashley Messier). Thompson has committed to Harvard for the 2020-21 season.
Howie Draper serves as the team's head coach, assisted by Britni Smith and Tara Watchorn.
Here is the full roster:
Defense: Kristina Bahl, Kendall Cooper, Dominique Cormier, Tamara Giaquinto, Nicole Gosling, Charli Kettyle, Ashley Messier
Forwards: Lindsey Bochna, Jaden Bogden, Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski, Aly McLeod, Ann-Frédérik Naud, Sarah Paul, Marianne Picard, Sarah Thompson, Taze Thompson, Maddi Wheeler, Tatum White, Sarah Wozniewicz
Goaltenders: Ève Gascon, Jessie McPherson, Kayle Osborne
Under-18 Series: The Schedule
Wednesday, August 14: 4 pm
Thursday, August 15: 4 pm
Saturday, August 17: 4 pm
All games will be streamed on HockeyTV.
Last year, Canada won two of the three games. The United States' win came via an overtime tally from Casey O'Brien, in the opening game of the series.
Under-18 Series: Players to Watch
Many eyes will undoubtedly be on Maddy Samoskevich, who participated in the 2018 U18 Series, as well as the 2018 Women's National Festival. She recorded 16 points (3-13) in 44 games with Shattuck St. Mary's prep team this past season. And, of course, she has the family name; she is the younger sister of Melissa Samoskevich.
For Canada, keep an eye on Ann-Frédérik Naud. The John Abbott College forward recorded seven points, including three goals, in five games at the 2019 Canada Winter Games - but she also recorded 15 penalty minutes. Goaltender Ève Gascon will also be an interesting player to watch, as she has limited national team experience.
Under-22 Series: The Rosters
There are many familiar names on the United States' U-22 team, all of whom are currently playing NCAA college hockey. The University of Minnesota is well-represented by six of its players, while Boston College, Harvard, Colgate, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State, Northeastern, Providence, and Minnesota-Duluth also have players participating.
Joel Johnson will serve as the team's head coach. Courtney Kennedy and Katie Lachapelle will serve as assistant coaches.
Here is the full roster:
Defense: Cayla Barnes, Emily Brown, Natalie Buchbinder, Skylar Fontaine, Hadley Hartmetz, Patti Marshall, Ally Simpson, Madeline Wethington
Forwards: Hannah Bilka, Sydney Brodt, Britta Curl, Clair DeGeorge, Taylor Heise, Gabbie Hughes, Maureen Murphy, Presley Norby, Dominique Petrie, Natalie Snodgrass, Taylor Wente, Grace Zumwinkle
Goaltenders: Aerin Frankel, Emma Polusny
Canada's roster for the U-22 series also features a handful of familiar names. All of its players are currently playing college hockey, whether in the United States or in Canada. Among the teams represented: BC, Princeton, Concordia, Ohio State, Colgate, Mercyhurst, Montreal, Clarkson, and the universities of both Calgary and New Brunswick.
Troy Ryan serves as the team's head coach, with Courtney Birchard-Kessel, Carla MacLeod, and Cara Morey serving as assistant coaches.
Here is the full roster:
Defense: Ashton Bell, Jaime Bourbonnais, Jessica DiGirolamo, Jalyn Elmes, Brooke Hobson, Ella Shelton, Claire Thompson
Forwards: Lindsay Agnew, Maggie Connors, Emmy Fecteau, Sarah Fillier, Julia Gosling, Ryleigh Houston, Emma Maltais, Kristin O'Neill, Amy Potomak, Malia Schneider, Sophie Shirley, Alexa Vasko, Audrey-Anne Veillette
Goaltenders: Raygan Kirk, Kelsey Roberts, Kendra Woodland
Under-22 Series: The Schedule
Wednesday, August 14: 7 pm
Thursday, August 15: 7 pm
Saturday, August 17: 7 pm
All games will be streamed on HockeyTV.
Last year, the United States swept the three-game series. Cayla Barnes served as the team's captain as she helped lead her team to three regulation wins.
Under-22 Series: Players to Watch
Cayla Barnes should provide some leadership to the young team once again, and this time, she brings an Olympic gold medal earned in PyeongChang. This past season, the defender put up some impressive offensive numbers with BC, accruing 23 points (4-19) in 36 games.
Keep an eye on Canada's Julia Gosling, who knows how to hit the net. Gosling put up seven goals in six games during the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and recorded eight points in 11 games at the 2018 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championships. Also watch Amy Potomak, a University of Minnesota player who's suited up for her country many times in the past and who recorded 31 points (11-20) in 39 games last season.
